Costa Rica : à savoir avant de partir
L’essentiel
- Check the stay granted on arrival; the maximum for eligible first-group tourists is 180 days, not a guaranteed admission.
- Rip currents and flooding are serious hazards. Use licensed guides and check road and park closures.
Entrée et visas
Bring a valid machine-readable passport, visa if required, return/onward ticket and funds evidence. Required means are at least USD 100 per month or part month. Immigration determines the stay. Eligible first-group nationals can be granted up to 180 days; other groups have different limits. Yellow-fever certificate rules depend on travel history; check the official current list.
Validité du passeport: Depends on nationality group; check the official immigration guidelines and carrier requirements.
À la frontière, on peut vous demander
- Check the permitted departure date on your entry stamp.
Douane
- Do not remove wildlife or seashells; declare restricted goods and large cash amounts.
Vérifié le 30 octobre 2026 · Sources: visitcostarica.com ↗, gov.uk ↗, travel.state.gov ↗
Argent
Espèces et cartes sont courantes. Cartes acceptées presque partout.
Apple Pay — pas de données · Google Pay — pas de données
- US dollars are widely accepted.
- Use banks or authorised exchange offices; bank transactions require the original passport.
- Keep cash for rural areas and small vendors.
Vérifié le 30 octobre 2026 · Sources: visitcostarica.com ↗, visitcostarica.com ↗
Règles et interdictions
Interdit
- Illegal drugs
- Unauthorised entry into restricted conservation areas
Lois que les visiteurs enfreignent sans le savoir
- Carry identification; police usually accept a printed passport copy, with the original available.
Vérifié le 30 octobre 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗
Culture et tenue
Religion: The pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Angels Basilica in Cartago is an important Catholic tradition.
Tenue: Bring suitable footwear and rain protection for rainforest visits; dress respectfully at religious sites.
Vérifié le 30 octobre 2026 · Sources: si.cultura.cr ↗, visitcostarica.com ↗
Climat
Pacific dry season is December-March, April transitional, rainy May-October and November transitional. The Caribbean coast has no clear dry season; February-March and September-October are relatively drier.
Mois par mois
- janvier: Jan: Pacific dry; Caribbean wetter
- février: Feb: Pacific dry; Caribbean relatively drier
- mars: Mar: Pacific dry; Caribbean relatively drier
- avril: Apr: Pacific transition
- mai: May: Pacific rainy season
- juin: Jun: Pacific rainy season
- juillet: Jul: rainy; relative Pacific lull possible
- août: Aug: rainy; relative Pacific lull possible
- septembre: Sep: Pacific very wet; Caribbean relatively drier
- octobre: Oct: Pacific very wet; Caribbean relatively drier
- novembre: Nov: Pacific transition; Caribbean wetter
- décembre: Dec: Pacific dry; Caribbean wetter
Meilleure saison : December-March for the Pacific; consider February-March or September-October for the Caribbean coast.
Vérifié le 30 octobre 2026 · Sources: visitcostarica.com ↗
À emporter
- Insect repellent
- Hooded raincoat
- Hiking footwear
- Passport and onward ticket
- Travel insurance covering planned activities
À ne pas emporter / interdit à l’importation
- Collecting wildlife, shells or plants as souvenirs
Pratique
Prises: Type A/B, 120 V
Eau: Usually potable in towns and tourist areas; choose bottled water where local safety is uncertain.
Circulation: à droite
Assurance: Check explicit cover for surfing, rafting, zip-lining or other adventure activities.
Urgences: 911
Vérifié le 30 octobre 2026 · Sources: visitcostarica.com ↗, visitcostarica.com ↗, gov.uk ↗
Les règles d’entrée changent. Avant le voyage, consultez le site de l’ambassade ou du service d’immigration du pays.